In the world of unexpected twists of fate, William “Bud” Post III stands as a prime example. Known for winning a staggering $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania Lottery, Post’s life took a turbulent turn that involved murder attempts, legal battles, and financial downfall.
However, there’s another intriguing aspect to the name William Post – a figure associated with the creation of the beloved Pop Tarts. Let’s delve into the life and legacy of William “Bud” Post III and explore the connection with the famous breakfast pastry.
Who was William Bill Post?
William “Bud” Post III, born on April 5, 1939, in Erie, Pennsylvania, faced a challenging early life. Orphaned at the age of 8, he was sent to an orphanage after his mother’s death.
Struggling through various temporary jobs, including cooking, truck driving for carnivals, and painting, Post’s life took an unexpected turn when he won the Pennsylvania Lottery jackpot in 1988, a staggering $16.2 million.
William Bill Post Wikipedia
Post’s lottery win was nothing short of a Cinderella story turned sour. The jackpot, totaling more than $32 million, was the second-highest in the state’s history. Unfortunately, Post’s financial decisions led him down a precarious path.
In the two weeks following the win, he splurged over $300,000 on gifts and investments, including a liquor license, a restaurant lease in Florida, a used-car lot, and even a twin-engine airplane, despite lacking a pilot’s license.
According to The Washington Post, Post’s financial mismanagement extended to pawning a ring for $40 and gifting Ann Karpik, his landlady and occasional girlfriend, $40 to purchase lottery tickets, one of which turned out to be the winning ticket. Karpik later sued Post for a share of the lottery winnings.
Legal Battles and Personal Struggles
The aftermath of Post’s windfall was marred by legal battles and personal struggles. His brother attempted to have him murdered for the inheritance, and Post was successfully sued by an ex-girlfriend, adding to his financial woes. By the end of his life, Post found himself $1 million in debt, a stark contrast to the dreams his lottery win had initially promised.
Is William Bill Inventor Of Pop Tart
William “Bill” Post, a key figure in the creation of Pop Tarts, the pre-cooked, frosted Kellogg toaster pastries, has died at 96.
Post is credited as part of the Kellogg team, responding to a process competitor Post had developed for dehydrating dog food to keep it fresh, to develop a pastry for the breakfast market, and enclosing it in foil to keep it fresh.
Pop Tarts – a name later adopted by an all-girl Berlin garage band – were launched on the US market in 1964 after Post, a truck washer-turned-plant manager at Hekman Biscuit Company welcomed an idea from Kellogg’s executives for a new product to make.
Together with William LaMothe, Post assembled what he called, according to Legacy.com, “an amazing team that developed Kellogg’s concept of a shelf-stable toaster pastry into a fine product that we could bring to market in the span of just four months”.
Pop-Tarts made their market debut with the four original flavors of strawberry, blueberry, brown sugar cinnamon, and apple-currant. There are currently between 20 and 30 flavors on the market at any given time.
Post was raised on the south side of Grand Rapids, as one of seven children of Dutch immigrants, according to the outlet, and served in the US Army Air Corps. After he retired he became a brand ambassador for Kelloggs.
“He was asked to tell the Pop Tart story to young people in countless classrooms and always enjoyed accommodating those requests, giving his testimony of God’s goodness to ‘the son of an immigrant’, and bringing some of his unending supply of Pop Tarts with him,” Legacy.com wrote.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the tale of William “Bud” Post III serves as a cautionary narrative about the potential pitfalls that accompany sudden wealth. From a triumphant lottery win to a life riddled with financial struggles and legal disputes, Post’s story is a reminder that fortune does not always bring happiness.
Meanwhile, the legacy of William “Bill” Post in the creation of Pop Tarts adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative, highlighting the multifaceted nature of individuals who bear the same name but leave vastly different imprints on history.
